Newly-promoted League Two side Grimsby Town are hoping to get their season off to a flyer at Leyton Orient this Saturday.
The Mariners, who bounced back at the first time of trying, have achieved record shirt sales and season tickets, as they prepare for their return to the EFL.
And Chief Executive Debbie Cook told Sky Sports News that those figures are just the start for the North East Lincolnshire Club.
“We ordered our shirts in February ready to sell in pre-season and we ordered double the amount because of the momentum on the pitch and within the fanbase. We could see something special was happening in Grimsby and we’re delighted that the Football Club is part of that,” she said.
“We sold 1,000 home shirts on the first day of sale, I think the previous record was 500, so we ordered double thinking that would be enough and we’re now desperately trying to get our hands on more! Then we sold another 500 away kits, so the demand is huge!”
Together as one! 👊
— Sky Bet League Two (@SkyBetLeagueTwo) July 27, 2022
📺 @SkySportsNews spoke to @officialgtfc CEO Debbie Cook ahead of the the Mariners' return to #SkyBetLeagueTwo.#EFL | #EFLSeasonLaunch pic.twitter.com/E9OI5mPjE1
Grimsby’s first home game comes against Northampton Town and Blundell Park could usher in its biggest crowds in over 20 years this season.
Over 5,600 season tickets have been purchased to date, with 150 sold within the first 10 minutes of going on sale last month, and those record-breaking numbers have already topped the Club’s last spell in Division One between 1998 and 2003.
“I think the previous record was about 3,400 back in the 1998/99 season and for 2022/23, we’ve sold over 5,700,” she continued. “What we’re building here is a real team effort and something we talk about right across the Football Club is togetherness.
“I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved in the last season but as a Board and with the first team, we’ve built on establishing our values, been clear on building our improvement and being together as a Club, being joined up and supporting each other right across the football Club.
“It’s fantastic but we’re only just getting started. Being promoted back into the EFL is amazing but it’s just the beginning, our ambitions are high, and our focus is going to be on what’s next and how we kick on from here.”